My FH5 Log: Ao-Soarer Jumping Heart

The third-generation Toyota Soarer showcased to the world that a Japanese carmaker can jump onto the GT bandwagon by offering drivers a sensible grand tourer worth enjoyable to drive. The same goes for its so-called spiritual successor, the Lexus LC.

The Toyota Soarer and Lexus LC are both grand touring cars that offer drivers a sensible and enjoyable driving experience. When you compare these two cars, you'll discover that they have a lot in common. So, how well do we know these two?

The third-generation Toyota Soarer is a luxury coupe that I won from Forza Horizon 5's Back to the 90s Summer Season Playlist. Launched in 1991, the third-generation Soarer eschews the muscular shape of its predecessor in favor of a rounder design. This is the first Soarer that was sold overseas as the Lexus SC. In the US, it won the 1992 Import Car of the Year. Engine choices include a 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8 engine, a 2JZ-GE 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, and seen here is the 1JZ-GTE 2.5L six-cylinder twin-turbo engine. Depending on the engine choices, the Z30 Soarer is mated to either a 4-speed AT or a 5-speed MT.

Now, let's talk about the Lexus LC 500, one of the last remaining V8-powered JDM cars. Although the design is heavily inspired by the LF-LC Concept, the LC is the first Lexus to use Toyota's TNGA platform. It's powered by the 472HP 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 engine mated to a Lexus-first 10-speed AT.

The Lexus LC became the last Lexus vehicle to compete in the Super GT's GT500 class before it was replaced by the Toyota GR Supra for the 2020 season. In its three-season tenure from 2017 to 2019, the LC 500 emerged as the two-time champion with the #37 KeePer TOM'S and the #6 WAKO'S 4CR LC500 bagging the titles.

To see how much progress the LC has gained compared to the Z30 Soarer it draws inspiration from, I went outside the Horizon Rush site to conduct this sensible experiment. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Lap Times:

Soarer Z30 - 1m12.606s

LC500 - 1m06.834s

The V8-powered Lexus LC 500 is a formidable machine. In a side-by-side race, it outperformed the Toyota Soarer Z30 by six seconds quicker than the latter's time. This result is especially impressive considering that the Z30 Soarer is a formidable machine in its own right.

The Lexus LC is a grand touring car that offers drivers a sensible and enjoyable driving experience. It's a Happy Set of performance, comfort, and style that you would expect from the company behind the last V8-powered JDM sports cars. Just like the Toyota Soarer Z30, it really is "for mind cruising".

For Mind Cruising...that's what it said during the commercials for the Toyota Soarer Z30 while in the backdrop of Eric Carmen's All By Myself. Anyway, with the LC500 proving its worth, it's time for a little one-car show performance. But first...

My Lexus LC500 now has the striking image of a Kansai stagegirl we all love. I kinda miss her. I even fitted it with the LBWK kit to make it look like a Super GT racer. Touche...

Prepped for the Revue Act, my Lexus LC is prepared to take on a rather good EventLab creation that deserves no introduction. It's a circuit setting with a touge taste to it. A chance to flex some Japanese muscles on the corners. Anyway, let's roll the tape.

Nearly perfect but that's my highlight.

Lexus is the only Japanese car brand that still offers V8 engines in its sports coupes, such as the RC F and LC 500. However, as the world moves toward electric vehicles, these gas-guzzling machines are likely to become extinct. Although it sounds cruel, this is the new normal we live in but their legacies will be forever in our hearts and minds.

Just like last time, domo arigato. You made us proud.

My FH5 Log: The last V8 JDM Coupes

What do the Lexus RC and the LC have in common? They're both coupes, they both have V8 engines, and they both took part in Super GT a long time ago.

Lexus is the only Japanese car brand that can stuff a V8 engine on their sports coupes such as the RC F and the LC 500, and as the world braces for the new normal, they'll soon be wiped out from the face of the earth. Before giving these two V8 JDM coupes a proper send-off, let's get to know them first.

The facelifted Lexus RC F in its Track Edition (Performance Package in Japan) glory is one of the DLC cars in the game and one of the most potent Japanese sports cars to drive in the game. 

For its minor change, the RC F's 5.0L V8 engine has been slightly boosted by 5HP of power and 8Nm of torque thanks to its revised intake routing and lower rpm trigger for the secondary intake opening. While extensive lightweight materials aren't enough for an ordinary RC F, the Track Edition (Performance Package) variant saw the fixed rear wing, the bonnet, the roof, and other aerodynamic materials made from carbon fiber as well as Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, a titanium muffler and tailpipe, dropping the weight between 70 to 80kg. 

Such extensive lightweight work made this variant goes from 0-100kph in four seconds, half a second quicker than the pre-facelifted RC F.

The Lexus LC 500 is the prize car from Forza Horizon 5's Midnights at Horizon Dry Season Playlist. I obtained it after hitting 20 points in the said playlist and now that I got one, it's time to have a word with this car. Of course, because it runs on the TNGA platform, this is the first time the Forza franchise featured a Toyota/Lexus model donning the TNGA platform, so let's have an earful with it. Ahem. With styling inspired by the LF-LC Concept, the LC 500 is powered by the same 5.0L V8 engine as the RC F mentioned above but with 472HP of power produced while mated to a Lexus-first 10-speed AT. 

The Lexus LC became the last Lexus vehicle to compete in the Super GT's GT500 class before it was replaced by the Toyota GR Supra for the 2020 season. In its three-season tenure from 2017 to 2019, the LC 500 emerged as the two-time champion with the #37 KeePer TOM'S and the #6 WAKO'S 4CR LC500 bagging the titles.

Both the RC F and the LC500 are like two sides of the same coin. The RC F, in its Track Edition glory, is all about showcasing the true side of the RC F while the LC500, well, it was basically built with grand touring in mind, unlike its Super GT-winning equivalent. Differences aside, they're both a real blast to drive because of their "over 9000" behavior, rumbling V8 soundtrack, and the Japanism lurking beneath them. It's no wonder most speedo boys had wanton fantasies about Japanese sports cars, especially these two that are in their prime.

Speaking of prime, it's time to give these two Japanese V8 coupes the proper send-off they need, and with Guanajuato's my personal lab for their last dance, it's time to give these aging eight-cylinder samurais the regal finale they'll never forget. Roll the tape.

After their last dance, here are the results;

LC 500 - 1m.11.455s

RC F Track Edition - 1m09.336s

It looks like the RC F Performance Package wins the final fight against the LC500 by nearly two seconds. What an astonishing gap between them even though they're both powered by the same ancient force that woke them.

As their time in this unstable world is nearing its climax, rest assured that the LC500 and the RC F are the greatest machines ever to come out from Japan because they're the last V8 sports cars to come out from the Land of the Rising Sun. Although it sounds cruel, this is the new normal we live in but their legacies will be forever in our hearts and minds.

Domo arigato, our ever-favorite V8 JDM coupes. You made us proud.

Lexus LC Convertible

The Lexus LC Convertible is now a living thing and it joined alongside the LC lineup, signaling Lexus' return to convertibles since the IS C and the SC, two forgotten open-tops. The question is, will the LC Convertible face the same fate as the other two or is it as fun to drive as its hardtop equivalent?

2021 Lexus LC Convertible

With prices starting at 15,000,000 Japanese Yen, it's about as costly as the LC500h in S Package grade, which is somewhat well-gambled for the wealthy speedo boy looking for a luxury Japanese sportscar that loves to taste the asphalt all day long.

Unlike its hardtop equivalent, the LC Convertible is available only with the almost prehistoric 2UR-GSE 4.0L V8 engine that produces 477 PS of power and 540Nm of torque while mated to a 10-speed Automatic Gearbox, which is common sense for the speedo boys.

Because being a convertible, it has gained around a hundred kilos of weight compared to the coupe but the added weight didn't bother its fun-to-drive character. Sure, it's not as fast and as quick as its European rivals but as a grand tourer, the LC Convertible truly fits the bill perfectly. Roof on or roof off, it really shows how much of a Lexus the LC Convertible is and for speedo boys, it's glory days.

Its enjoyable dynamics, despite the added weight and the expensive pricing worthy of a gambit, is what made the LC Convertible a good luxury sports car all around. Yes, it's not capable of winning drag races and track days but for a smooth ride like a grand tourer, the LC Convertible, like its hardtop equivalent, really means business and pleasure and we'd really want to thank Toyota for that.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

GT SPORT: LC vs. GR Supra

With the final SUPER GT race bids farewell to Lexus after 13 years and welcomes Toyota back for next season, it might be the ideal time to compare the the outgoing and the incoming, in normal road-going forms of course, as the Lexus LC500, their current luxury sports coupe, battles against the Toyota GR Supra, the reborn sportscar and the first representative of the Reiwa era cars to see who is worthy of taking its place on SUPER GT duty.



It's hard to believe that the LC500 will be the last Lexus to race at the GT500 class of the Super GT after 13 years since the SC430 went on service and followed by the RC F and the Concept LF-LC, but with Toyota's triumphant return to the GT500 class starting next year with the controversial but long-awaited GR Supra, the new decade will be a heck of a welcoming back party for the Toyota emblem as well as the revived Supra. Although welcoming, I still demonize these two Toyotas for being classified as Gran Turismo exclusives, but never mind all that, let's compare these two Toyota sports cars.



Although this is the first Japanese sports car of the Reiwa era, the Toyota GR Supra isn't exactly Japanese or so because while it says Toyota, it's surprisingly engineered by BMW and built in Austria, meaning that this fully-imported GR Supra has some Eurasian flair on the global stage. Born in Europe but raised in Asia, the GR Supra really is a world-class sportscar that tickles the fancies of every car enthusiast who wished for Toyota to bring back the Supra. In the range-topping RZ form, it comes with the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.



"You have a GR Supra? That's cute," so says someone who drove a Lexus LC because while the powertrain isn't as sophisticated as the Supra's, the TNGA platform lurking through the LC really means business on the go. The 477PS 2UR-GSE 4.0L V8 engine that powers it may not be capable enough to outsmart the Europeans but the soundtrack is definitely music to their ears and the best thing about the LC is that while it's not as fast as today's European luxury coupes, it's still a blast to drive and you can't stop driving one until you are fully satisfied.









Having a blast driving these two at their natural home track, the Fuji Speedway, the Lexus LC and the Toyota GR Supra are starting to show their true colors. The LC is challenging but enjoyable while the GR Supra feels so accessible to drive even with the BMW connection lurking through its skin. They maybe road cars but they are starting to feel like proper SUPER GT racers and as I had fun driving them, the LC and the GR Supra went for a timed lap to see which one is worthy of being part of the SUPER GT story.

After timed laps, here are the results;

LC500 - 2:02.645
GR Supra - 2:03.614

What a surprising result! These two Toyota sports cars bear a near one-second difference and by such result, looks like the GR Supra is nearly a second slower compared to the Lexus LC500, which is surprisingly impressive because while the LC packs more power than the Supra, the Supra is surprisingly lighter than the LC, making it a stalemate comparison between the two. It's too close to call for these two Toyotas.



Although a second slower compared to the LC500, the GR Supra has got what it takes to replace the LC500 in next year's Super GT and carry on with the tradition of Toyota's motorsport history that has been in their mantra for generations. It really is a bargain sports car that can be as enjoyable to drive as the heavyweights and after a close call with the LC500, I believe it's ready.



Although I still demonize this car, the GR Supra never fails to surprise me and I can't wait to see what's next for the world-class sports car that has the heart of a true Toyota despite being born in Europe by Bimmer people. The more you know.

GT SPORT: The modern Heisei JDMs

Earlier, after a little game at Tsukuba on GT SPORT, I crowned the R34 Skyline GT-R as the best Japanese sportscar to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era. Continuing on our farewell tribute to the Heisei era on GT SPORT, it's time to bring in the modern Heisei JDMs. Before you ask, no, you won't see the GR Supra in here because that one hasn't been on sale yet.







As the Heisei era tips to the climax here's how the Japanese car industry progressed so far. For Mazda, the only sporty offering in the SKYACTIV era is basically the ND Roadster, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, the Lancer Evolution X is the last Lancer Evolution ever made and its reign ended in 2015 with a Final Edition, today's WRX STi is all about conquering the Nurburgring rather than rallying, Toyota wowed us with the 86 (which is made in cooperation with Subaru), Lexus continues to upset the luxury car market with their flagship LC grand tourer, and today's NSX is a hybrid supercar. Out of the modern Heisei JDMs, the R35 Nissan GT-R reigns supreme or is it?



To find out, I'm using the Tsukuba Circuit again to see which one of the modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscars is the top star and I got a little something for it later on so ladies and gentlemen, let's get this show on the track.



After the time of their lives at Tsukuba, here come the results...

Roadster S (ND) '15 - 1:14.018
86 GT '15 - 1:11.302
WRX STi Type S '14 - 1:07.100
Lancer Evo.Final '15 - 1:06.282
LC500 '17 - 1:06.129
NSX '17 - 1:03.377
GT-R '17 - 1:01.974



Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. The R35 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscar ever made but the question now is, is it really the best Heisei-era car? Check back for the big finish of this Heisei-ending tribute.

GT SPORT: Story of the LC

A GT500-spec Lexus LC became the champion of the recently concluded Super GT season and it's not bad for those who are one with the young jumpstarts that edging the likes of the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX in the middle of Japan's premiere touring car championship. So what is it then, this Lexus LC?



That is a tricky one because, by the looks of it, it was heavily inspired by the LF-LC Concept Car from several years ago, making it one of the clearest examples of what happens when a concept car goes into production while retaining most of the striking aspects of the concept car it was based upon. And because it was utilized on a brand new platform, the new model delivers a near-perfect weight distribution that handles like it promised. Of course, while it was powered by the same 5.0L V8 engine from the F lineup but mated with the first-ever 10-speed AT, I wonder what is like driving Lexus' new halo car that promises LFA-inspired thrills like no other?



From what I can tell behind the wheel, this V8-powered Sport GT from Japan is very promising at first and as I kept on driving, the LC500 is still as promising as it was setting off for the first time. I think the Lexus folks used the second-generation Toyota Soarer, which is the first Lexus SC in the world market, as the inspiration for the LC's dynamics and because of the new platform, the new double-joint multilink front suspension, and the Lexus Dynamic Handling, the LC behaves like the Soarer from the last century while promising a well-civilized drive not bad for a grand tourer.



In my mind, the Lexus LC is a Japanese take on the Mercedes-AMG GT because while they're not as superior as their powerful predecessors, they still deliver a show of force purists can't get enough of. Well, the LC is an ideal purists' car because with no turbos or hybrids holding it back, the sonorous tone of its 5.0L V8 engine tweaked specifically for this car is music to their ears and for those who drive it, it didn't matter if today's turbocharged sportscars can beat it in a little game of Top Trumps because, for this car, it's all about being an enjoyable grand tourer made for the most discerning of drivers who want to drive a car that can tour around from one place to another. As I drove the Lexus LC on GT SPORT, it's hard to fathom how good is the ride because the more I keep driving with this car, the more I'm starting to enjoy it and I understand that.



The Lexus LC500 may be Japanese made but it behaves like a European sports car and sounds like an American muscle car it's all about the best of both worlds for Lexus's newest grand tourer that doesn't care about its results at the end of the day and for those who had numerous reasons to hate very fast European exotics, supercharged American muscles, or turbocharged sports cars should look further to this because to you, the Lexus LC is the best car and you would have it than any fast car with an extravagant price tag. Hmph. Only because you are a Gran Turismo fan and since the Lexus LC is now a certified Gran Turismo-exclusive, let's see how much you'll love your new favorite by pitting against its new rivals during their Super GT heydays.



I've been joined by Japan's best supercars, the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX, to teach the Lexus LC a painful lesson of what's it doing in GT SPORT for no reason at all. Of course, with these two cars being on every block now and then, they will use their experiences to teach this newbie LC a painful lesson and I went to Suzuka Circuit, one of the Super GT venues, to settle this issue once and for all. Of course, even without GT500 specs, these three latest Japanese sportscars are going to have a blast just like what happened during this season.



The GT-R may be the cheapest of the three but it is the most experienced because having been around for ten years, it continues to improve for the better until the inevitable metamorphosis occurred to our dear Godzilla. Of course, it still grips even with the traction control off, but in the pursuit of precision, the GT-R is known to set blistering fast laps just to demonstrate how much the GT-R has grown since its rebirth ten years ago.

Honda's new NSX may be the most expensive Japanese car sold because of the fact it was imported from America but despite being built in the state of Ohio, it's Japanese at heart and while it's basically a hybrid supercar with a turbocharged V6 in the middle, it still retains the spirit of the original NSX in every way. I know that it has SH-AWD but because it behaves like an Audi R8, it can be downright tricky to get it right because of such nature unheard for hybrid cars. It's amazing that Honda managed to move on from the lackluster CR-Z to the new NSX and I'm amazed by the fact they made hybrid cars engaging enough to break the stereotype.

I already told you about what's like to drive the Lexus LC and now that I have my opinion about these three Japanese sportscars, let's find out what happens when I send these three for a quick lap around Suzuka to see which one is best...



After a hot, well-cool one, and a lap around Suzuka, it's time to see which one is the quickest...

GT-R - 2:28.242
NSX - 2:32.550
LC500 - 2:36.308

Huh, looks like the legend is still going strong when it faces the young upstarts like the NSX hybrid sportscar and the LC grand tourer but still, looks like both the GT-R and the NSX are giving what the Lexus LC deserves because of being a GT-exclusive car.



I know, I may have ruined my experience with the Lexus LC at the end because I called the Lexus LC a Gran Turismo exclusive, and car enthusiasts should know better but despite what went horribly wrong here, the LC is still one of the most enjoyable sports cars you can drive on GT SPORT. It may not be as fast as the GT-R or the NSX but for the thrill of it, the LC500 brings the power to the drivers and despite its technology-induced chaos enveloping this grand tourer, it really is a decent halo car that can pass the candle from the likes of the Soarer and the Lexus LFA.